My Ride - 1957 Ford Custom

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, February 19, 2012

James Schanmier, 42, lives in Belmont with his girlfriend Tami and son Zachary. He attended Burlingame High and currently works at PG&E. A decade ago, he acquired a '57 Ford Custom.

James Schanmier, 42, lives in Belmont with his girlfriend Tami and son Zachary. He attended Burlingame High and currently works at PG&E. A decade ago, he acquired a '57 Ford Custom.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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My passion for cars goes back to the mid-1970s when I was a small child riding my Schwinn Krate around Burlingame.

My passion for cars goes back to the mid-1970s when I was a small child riding my Schwinn Krate around Burlingame.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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When I got older I started buying classic vehicles, and 10 years ago I acquired a '57 Ford Custom with at least one foot in the grave. It had no motor or transmission, no seats, and no interior.

When I got older I started buying classic vehicles, and 10 years ago I acquired a '57 Ford Custom with at least one foot in the grave. It had no motor or transmission, no seats, and no interior.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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Because the car didn't have anything under the hood when I bought it, I ended up installing a 1969 390 FE engine and a C6 automatic transmission.

Because the car didn't have anything under the hood when I bought it, I ended up installing a 1969 390 FE engine and a C6 automatic transmission.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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Despite the newer mechanical parts, I decided that the Ford had to look stock from the outside. I like the car to bring people back to the time it was built.

Despite the newer mechanical parts, I decided that the Ford had to look stock from the outside. I like the car to bring people back to the time it was built.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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When it came to painting the car, my friend Dean was apprehensive about painting it black so I chose an original willow green color.

When it came to painting the car, my friend Dean was apprehensive about painting it black so I chose an original willow green color.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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I can't imagine selling the Ford, and it will probably take me the rest of my life to finish it.

I can't imagine selling the Ford, and it will probably take me the rest of my life to finish it.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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I took a picture of my son Zachary next to the car when we first brought him home from the hospital three years ago, and I look forward to someday turning the car over to him.

I took a picture of my son Zachary next to the car when we first brought him home from the hospital three years ago, and I look forward to someday turning the car over to him.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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I plan to complete the interior this year, and next year I'll find something else to work on.

I plan to complete the interior this year, and next year I'll find something else to work on.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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I truly love my car and am amazed by the friends I have made through it over the last 10 years.

I truly love my car and am amazed by the friends I have made through it over the last 10 years.

Photo: Stephen Finerty

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My Ride - 1957 Ford Custom

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James Schanmier, 42, lives in Belmont with his girlfriend Tami and son Zachary. He attended Burlingame High and currently works at PG&E.

My passion for cars goes back to the mid-1970s when I was a small child riding my Schwinn Krate around Burlingame. On one of my rides I came across a high-school kid, Dave, who had a beautiful 1965 Chevy. I remember being amazed at how an old truck could look so new.

I still see Dave driving that truck to this day, and he has become a friend. I began asking my dad about old cars and started going to car shows and looking at old hot-rod magazines.

When I got older I started buying classic vehicles, and 10 years ago I acquired a '57 Ford Custom with at least one foot in the grave. It had no motor or transmission, no seats, and no interior. I heard "junk" and "rat rod" a lot. I saw its potential, but it took two years to get the Ford running.

I'm embarrassed to say it, but while it was being restored I would often sit in the car at night making engine noises like a little kid. My girlfriend, Tami, would often open the garage door and find me just sitting there with a dumb smile on my face. Because the car didn't have anything under the hood when I bought it, I ended up installing a 1969 390 FE engine and a C6 automatic transmission.

Despite the newer mechanical parts, I decided that the Ford had to look stock from the outside. That meant there wouldn't be custom wheels, billet aluminum, flames, pinstripes or excessive chrome. I like that stuff on other people's cars, but not on mine, for some reason. I like the car to bring people back to the time it was built.

I found parts on eBay and at swap meets. I remember the drive to Angels Camp to get a front fender, the steering wheel I got from Tom in Florida, and the interior panels I got from a "good old boy" from North Carolina who schooled me on the '57 Ford 300.

When it came to painting the car, my friend Dean was apprehensive about painting it black so I chose an original willow green color. I placed an Old Half Moon Bay drag strip decal in the rear window, and one of my favorite things is having an old-timer come up to me and say "I raced there in '69." If I can get at least one smile, my mission is accomplished.

I can't imagine selling the Ford, and it will probably take me the rest of my life to finish it. I took a picture of my son Zachary next to the car when we first brought him home from the hospital three years ago, and I look forward to someday turning the car over to him. I hope he will not want to put huge wheels and flames on it. Maybe I can teach him a love for the old stockers as well.

I plan to complete the interior this year, and next year I'll find something else to work on. I tend to complete things as money permits. Is anyone ever really done with their car? Is there really anyone who fixed up a car and sold it for a profit?

My car isn't the nicest. I wish it was faster, and it probably won't win any awards. But I truly love my car and am amazed by the friends I have made through it over the last 10 years. I look forward to the journey ahead and to future memories.